The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-03-05

room, and sought tho congenial society o
her mother;a mercenary woman whose sol
aim in existence was to secure brillian
match for Estelle
Angry, humilated. with scorn in hi
heart for all wonianklnd, Leonard Clavcr
ing strobe from the hotel where this inter
view had taken place, and went down t
the beach.
He wanted to be alone for time to thinl
over the situation; then he would pack hi
wardrobe, and the pebbly shores of Pas
Christian would know him no more.
Drawing his hat down over his eyes, h
turned to the most unfrequented part o
the beach and hurried onward.
All at once, in lonely nook he came {,
halt as his eyes fell upon an unexpected
scene.
A slip of girl-a fragile little creature
of not mere than ffteen-with great darl
eyes in strange contrast TO the tawny mant
of red-gold hair which streamed over he
shoulders.
a girl with a face full of possibilities, ,bu
In her eyes wild despair, as believing her
self to be all alone in this forgotten corner
she crouched at the foot of great oak tree
her hat on the sand at her feet, sobbinl
bitterly.
''Nobody cares for mer the sweet young
voice was saying. "Mamma loves no one
but Estelle! And / am always forgotten and
alone and miserable. Only this morning !
ventured TO kiss mamma and she re.
proved me, ard pushed me away from her.
for fear l would runple her morning dress
and she called me an ugly child, and said /
was disgrace to the family. Oh, If it
wouldn't be wicked. would wish to der
Captain Leonard ClaYering standing not
five feet distant overheard the entire solilo-
guy, and the moody look deepened in his
handsome eyes.
A sudden impulse prompted him.
lie stepped forward and laid his hand
upon the girls bowed head.
She flashed about and sprung to her feet
-slender-erect as dart.
The color came and went upon the sun
burned checks; the glorious dark eyes were
blazing.
''Ilow dare you?" she painted indignant
ly.
He lifted his hat with courtly obes-
| ance.
IL beg your pardon, Miss Valerie" he
returned humbly. "Only overheard your
words, and sympathizing with you, thought
| would venture some consolation! You
and are felow-sufferers through the scorn
and GOODNESS of your sister"
The great dark eyes sparkled.
$50 she has refused you9" the girl cried
lightly. "Well, could have warned you
of the result before you asked her! Estella
has set her heart on capturing the heir of
Rossmoyne."
Leonard Clavering started as though
some one had struck him blow. His face
grew pale for a moment
my child, are you in earnest?'' he
fatered.
She laughed.
Il ought not TO tell tales out of school,
Captain lv,r ag," she return e |, "and Il G
truth ought not to be told at all times; but
| will reiterate the truth; Estelle is deter
mined to become Mrs. RossmoYne! For my
part, l would not be so sure until had
seen him. Why, Captain Clavering, they
have never met"
He threw himself carelessly down upon
the sand beside her. There was an odd ex-
pres ion upon his dark face.
valerie" he was beginning; but she
checked him with a peremptoIy little ges-
| ture.
Captain Clavering, only my most init
mate friends call me Valerie, without pre-
| fix"
How dignifcd she was. The captain
smiled slyly.
She was quite a woman of the world af-
ter all.
"Miss Valerie"-he corrected himself
humbly-'I am going away, and" he
stopped short.
The laugh had faded from her face, and
she was strangely grave.
Going away? Oh, Captain Clayeringw
There was a strange thrill in the young
mans heart.
Somebody regretted him.
All, that was something!
"Miss Valerie" he said softly, 81 am 60
ing away because it is best for me. | am
going to Europe. | have business there
which has been already too long neglected
intend to remain two years. Let me see,
you will be seventeen then"
She shook her head.
IL shall be nearly eighteen" she inter
posed; ''for my sixteenth birthday will soon
be here"
"Ah, yes! Quite patriarchial," he re-
joined "Well, my dear Miss Valerie, may
hope that II fate throws us together
in two years from now, that you will still
bear me in your rememberance?"
She was biting her red lip hard to force
down the food of emotion which threatened
to burst all barriers.
But child as she was, Valerie Granger's
will was adamant.
She turned bravely and faced Leonard
Clavering.
lie took the slim, brown hand in his own
and gazed into the beautiful eyes.
A white lily was pinned in the lace at
her throat; shs removed it and laid It in
his hand with little attempt at laugh,
which died natural death.
"Seew she cried lightly. "Your mem
ory OF me will survive as long as that flower
lives-no longer. Keep it as a token, Cap
tain Clavering."
lie pressed it to his lips, then hid it away
in his breast just as the sound of footsteps
and shrill laughter reached them, and
gay group came sauntering by.
Captain Clavering arose, and with a low